The UK’s biggest and best celebration of Celtic music begins on Thursday. Some of best folk and roots artists from around the world will be in Glasgow to perform in a festival of 300 events over 18 days. We pick our 10 must-see concerts.

Sam Lee & Friends Tron Theatre, 15 January Collector, tradition-bearer, troubadour, Lee is the most interesting young voice in English folk. Old songs learned from Traveller communities done in glitchy, ambient new arrangements.

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James Robertson’s Pilgrimer Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 16 January A poetic Scots reimagining of the classic Joni Mitchell road album Hejira, performed by Scottish folk singers including Karine Polwart, Annie Grace, Rod Paterson and Julie Fowlis.

Chris WoodGlasgow Art Club, 16 JanuaryHard-hitting, tender and politically astute English song in the proud footsteps of Martin Carthy and Nic Jones. Wood’s sixth solo album is out later this year and we’ll get to hear the new material here.

This Is The Kit Drygate Brewery, 16 January The moniker of Kate Stables, a Parisian-based Bristolian who sings poised, soulful indie-folk in a voice that’s understated, dusk-lit and stylish. Her band includes The National’s Aaron Dessner and the excellent Rozi Plain and her latest album, Bashed Out, is full of drowsy beauty.

Lau Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 28 JanuaryThe UK’s mightiest folk trio. Deep-thinking, always inventive and a marvel of a live act. They team up with the Elysian Quartet to revisit the expansive terrains of their latest album, The Bell That Never Rang.

They Might Be Giants (family show) O2 ABC, 31 January Say what you like about the daftness of their grown-up pop, but this Brooklyn band is great with the kids. Volume down, lyrics clean, catchy tunes and treat the audience like, well, a real audience.